3 South Baltic region region. Large land holdings, magnificent palaces, other The Southern Baltic has always been a space where people, massive buildings, an abun- goods, ideas and armies circulated. It is a region of shared histo- dance of parks and greenery ry, linked by family ties, economic activity and border changes. have influenced and now In the course of history, the countries of the region, Sweden, continue to influence the Denmark, , and , which are nowadays landscape of the whole re- now well known to everybody, were formed. Linked by com- gion. Attention was paid to mon political, cultural, environmental and economic ties, they the historical and cultural sim- have created the South Baltic Cross-Border Cooperation Pro- ilarities and differences of the gram Interreg in order to strengthen the sustainable develop- manors, their development in ment of the region, increase its competitiveness, and promote the course of history, the cur- integration between people and institutions. rent situation, the problems of The co-operation aims to create the attractiveness and preservation of manor build- common identity of the South Baltic region, to promote the sustainable use of natural resources and cultural heritage, with ings and traditions, wider op- a special focus on tourism, the development of renewable en- portunities for opening man- ergy sources, energy saving and local initiatives. ors to today‘s visitors. Projects improving environmental risk management in the In the course of history, region are supported. Cooperation between people is support- manors in the south-eastern ed in order to use natural, cultural and social resources for the and western parts of the re- The publication was funded by the Interreg V-A South Baltic Cross-Border Cooperation Program project recognition of the region in Europe and the world. gion were significantly dif- “Increasing the value of manor heritage through tourism development measures in rural areas of the One of the initiated Interreg projects „South Baltic Manors“ fered after the Second World South Baltic Region” No. STHB.02.01.00-DE-0140/17 has discovered the rich and unique heritage of manors in the War. In Poland, the Baltic States and , many man- sions were destroyed during and after the war. After 1989 (the end of the communist re- gime), many manor buildings were restored or rebuilt. The manors of Denmark and Sweden, in contrast to the eastern part of the region, have not been dramatically Direcorate of regional The Karšuva circle restored. Many of them still routes operate as large agricultural units. Travel and admire the im- pressive landscape of manors in the South Baltic region, Meeting of the “South Baltic Manors” project partners in Rambynas in Lithuania Minor and in Regional Park, September 2019. Rambynas Regional Park! 4 5 Lithuania Minor from Klaipėda to Rambynas: its abundance of ornate archi- from Pagėgiai, you will en- „island of values“ from the tectural buildings, built in the ter Rambynas Regional Park Rambynas Regional Park Visi- by bike through the landscape, history and manors interwar period, and the „Vilni- - a state protected territory tors‘ Centre. Here you will find us Oak“ planted near the old established to preserve the the most important informa- There are about 100 were immediately destroyed and crafts. After the Industrial railway station in 1924. most important values of the tion about the most famous kilometres from Klaipeda during the creation of the col- Revolution of the 19th centu- In the direction of , region. We suggest starting manors in the area and other to Rambynas Regional Park. lective farms. Many families ry he began collecting eth- approximately 10 kilometres your acquaintance with this places suitable for visiting. One can get to know this re- from other Lithuanian or Slav- nographic material that is on gion, exceptional for both - its ic countries were accommo- display in this museum. history and natural-cultural dated in the manor buildings. As you approach Ramby- Rambynas Regional Park 13-kilometer stretch from landscape, while traveling by Some of the buildings turned nas, you will drive through the the confluence of the Nemu- car or public transport. It is into collective farm offices, town of Pagėgiai, famous for Rambynas Regional Park can also see the Bitėnai cem- nas and Jūra rivers and the true, this is a bit of a challenge was established in 1992 in or- etery which is often called the Rambynas sacred mountain, for cyclists, but there are a der to preserve the landscape Pantheon of Lithuania Minor, the border of the park contin- number of different ways of the lower Nemunas, its nat- which houses the remains of ues along the Nemunas (the to travel, such as train and ural ecosystem and the cultur- Vydūnas, Martyna Jankus and largest river in Lithuania) and bike. The sight of the coun- al heritage valuables of Lith- other famous personalities. the state border of Lithuania try is really different than in uania Minor, to manage and The stories of book smug- with the Kaliningrad region of the rest of Lithuania. As you rationally use them. Rambynas glers are also remembered at the Russian Federation. There pass through towns, smaller Regional Park is one of the Rambynas Regional Park. Only are 33 oxbow lakes scattered towns and villages, you will smallest regional parks in Lith- here one can see a colony of in the Nemunas Valley, the clearly notice the old red- uania, with the area of 4788 white storks in Bitėnai. Only largest of which are Merguva brick buildings of former ar- ha. In the territory of the park here herb of grace grows. and Bitežeris. chitecture of former manors, there are 8 nature reserves There are 8 villages in In order to ensure the pro- schools and other purposes. where the greatest natural and the park (Bitėnai, Bardėnai, tection of natural and cultural It is a historical land of East cultural values of the Ramby- Šereiklaukis, Opstainys, Rau- heritage values in Rambynas , called Klaipėda re- Hugo Scheu Manor - Museum in Šilutė. www.silutesmuziejus.lt nas area are protected - urban dondvaris, Pempynė, Vilkyškiai Regional Park, the Ramby- gion. Now this region is called elements of Vilkyškiai old town, and a part of Lumpėnai), with nas Regional Park Directorate Lithuania Minor. The region warehouses, or were simply extremely expressive forms of about 1340 residents, 247 ha was established on January 1, was rich and advanced in demolished, using solid red Vilkyškiai ridge and geomor- of water bodies. In the the 2001. cultural and economic terms, bricks for farm construction. phology, buildings and green- which influenced the manner After Lithuania regained in- ery architecture of Šereiklaukis Panorama from Rambynas Hill of construction of farm and dependence, the manors are Manor, forest ecosystems and public buildings. The land revived and their history and biodiversity in Šereiklaukis and was rich in larger and smaller culture are restored. Many of Rambynas. mansions and manors. Life in them have become real tour- The park preserves a small changed dramat- ist attractions. but extremely valuable frag- ically after World War II. The Traveling from Klaipeda ment of the Nemunas valley manors, as an economic and to Rambynas, you can visit with the famous Rambynas cultural unit, were destroyed. the museum located in Šilutė hill, the bend of Ragainė, the The new system created col- Hugo Scheu Manor. Hugo confluence of the Jūra and lective farms. Manors with all Scheu was a well-known fig- „Vilnius Oak“ in Pagėgiai, 2018. the Nemunas, with many ox- the buildings and inventory ure in East Prussian economy photo by D. Milašauskienė bow lakes (žiogiai). Here one 6 7 Images of Rambynas – get acquainted not only with the life and activities memorable, unique, enchanting of , but also with the history of the The Rambynas Landscape Reserve is intended to preserve and exhibit the landscape of book of Lithuania Minor, the Rambynas Hill area, the ethnographically valuable villages of Bitėnai and Bardėnai as well printers, cultural and po- as natural and cultural values. litical figures. The museum is located on the cozy and picturesque bank of the Rambynas Hill surrounding of forests and meadows, animals Bitė stresam, where vari- Rambynas Hill is a famous old shrine. It is and other assets of the regional park. The Visi- ous events take place dur- the most honorable place in Lithuania Minor, tor Center also offers films in Lithuanian, Eng- ing the tourist season. which was the spiritual center of the lish and German about the history and present (Skalviai tribe) for centuries. On Rambynas of the Rambynas area, as well as information Rambynas Hill Hill, the old Baltic sanctuary existed even until publications and souvenirs. 1811. After the destruction of the sacred stone of sacrifices, the land began to be haunted by Bitėnai - Užbičiai Cemetery calamity. The mountain collapsed three times. The Bitėnai - Užbičiai Cemetery of excep- In 1835, the holy place of the mountain fell tional beauty and exemplary management is into the Nemunas. Nowadays, Rambynas is located on the high right bank of the Nemu- not only a sanctuary, but also the only place nas between Bitėnai village and Rambynas in Lithuania from which Ragainė, Tilžė, walking Hill. They are called the Pantheon of Lithuania trails of Mažvydas open so wide and echoes Minor. This cemetery is the place of eternal rest of Vydūnas choir, sailing down the Nemunas of prominent figures of Lithuania Minor: Mar- Gustav Volberg‘s Restaurant before World War II from his city - Tilžė, to his land - Rambynas. An tynas Jankus and some of his family members, opening in the direction of Ragainė opens a Vilius Storostas - Vydūnas, Jonas Vanagaitis, great panorama to the bend of the Nemunas, Valteris - Kristupas Banaitis, Valteris Didis, Ele- na Grigolaitytė Kondratavičienė. The graves Bitėnai - Užbičiai Cemetery - Pantheon the confluence of Merguva and the Nemunas. of Lithuania Minor The slopes of Rambynas Hill are reinforced, of Martynas Jankus and Vydūnas are included stairs are installed. Rambynas, who has been in the list of state protected cultural heritage reborn, should remind every visitor of the ex- objects. These cemeteries contain surviving tinct Baltic tribes, the struggles for the Lithua- examples of traditional metal and concrete crosses, grave edging, as well as works repre- nian word and writing. senting the blacksmiths of Lithuania Minor - forged crosses, fences decorated with delicate Rambynas Regional Park Visitor Centre in the Gustav Volberg‘s homestead historical homestead of G. Volberg The Rambynas Regional Park Visitor Center, ornamentation, and legible epitaphs. which presents the historical, cultural and natural heritage of Lithuania Minor, is located Martynas Jankus Museum in Bitėnai, surrounded by forest in the histor- The Martynas Jankus Museum was found- ic homestead of Gustav Volberg‘s Restaurant ed in the 19th century, in the printing house of (also known as the inn) that operated before Lithuania Minor, which was rebuilt at the end the Second World War, near Rambynas Hill. It of the 19th century, where Martynas Jankus, is possible to get acquainted with the history the printer, signatory of the Tilsit Act and the of the Rambynas area, crafts, Lithuanian way Patriarch of Lithuania Minor, worked and lived later. In the museum named after him, one can of life, famous local people, birds living in the Martynas Jankus Museum in Bitėnai Historic stone on Rambynas Hill 8 9 Cognitive trail „Paradise Path“ Bitėnai - Šilėnai Cemetery In 2019, on the basis of the motives of Ele- The village of Bitėnai is divided into two White Stork Colony in Bitėnai na Grigolaitytė - Kondratavičienė‘s memories, parts by the Bitė stream, as if it were divided the Rambynas Regional Park Direction pre- into two villages, Šilėnai and Užbičius. These sented a new recreational attraction to tour- parts of the villages had separate cemeteries: ists, the Cognitive Trail „Paradise Path“. It starts Bitėnai-Užbičiai and Bitėnai-Šilėnai. Bitėnai at the expressive bridge over the Bitė stream - Šilėnai cemetery is located on the edge of installed at the M. Jankus Museum and stretch- the forest. During the Soviet era, like many es along the old tree-covered village road. The cemeteries in this region, they were greatly path is about 0.5 km long. It is equipped with destroyed. At the initiative and with the funds 2 information stands about Bitėnai, 2 places of of the grandsaughter of the printer, public respite, from which a great view of the stream figure Martynas Jankus - Eva Jankus – Gerola, and the garden of paintings of Lithuania Minor the cemetery was restored. There is a sculpture behind it opens up. by the sculptor Algirdas Bosas „In Memory of Prussian Lithuanian Offspring“. In 2014, Eva Cognitive trail, based on the motifs of Ulla Lachauer‘s Garden of Paintings of Jankus-Gerola was also burried in the Bitėnai- book „Paradise Path“ Lithuania Minor Šilėnai Cemetery next to the eternal rest of An open-air exhibition of paintings has her ancestors. The whole Kerkojai family of her been set up next to the museum. It is locat- mother Anė, who lived in Bitėnai-Šilėnai are ed on the site of the homesteads of Jankai buried here. and former neighbors Dilbai on the bank of the Bitė stream. This exposition is an oppor- Merguva Observation Tower tunity to see art differently, in harmony with It is located in a narrow strip between the ever-changing nature and historical envi- Lake Merguva and the gravel road winding ronment. Founded in 2003, it has captivated through the bend of the Ragainė bend, about visitors and awaited them all year round. The 2 km from the Bitėnai resort. From here there author of the idea is Eugenijus Skipitis. The Gar- is a great view of the Merguva oxbow lake, the den of Paintings in Lithuania Minor grows and meadows of the Ragainė bend, and the town expands every year, adorned with new paint- of Ragainė on the other side of the Nemunas. Panorama from the observation tower by Lake ing blossoms. It clearly shows the tall tower of the pulp fac- Merguva tory and the ruins of the brick Ragainė castle Bitėnai - Šilėnai Cemetery View of Ragainė Castle on the other side of the Stork colony built by the Crusaders at the beginning of the Nemunas from the observation tower by Lake Merguva In the very center of Bitėnai village, in the XV century. Lake Merguva lies to the south of pine trees on the bank of the Nemunas, white Bitėnai village, almost parallel to the Nemu- storks nest and hatch their children. There are nas, and only connects with it at the northern 19 to 23 nests in the colony at different times. end. Once, the Nemunas flowed along the Some pines even have two nests each. Inter- Šereiklaukis forest, but, touching the loop, estingly, here the storks began to nest in the gradually moved towards Ragainė. A flat, sandy pines, although traditionally the storks mostly plain formed full of elongated „eyes“ of oxbow settle in the deciduous trees. During the tour- lakes formed between the forest growing in ist season in Bitėnai you can observe the life of the highlands and the riverbed. Lake Merguva storks in their nests, the first steps of their jun- is the largest one. iors and attempts to fly, and the care of their parents. Garden of Paintings of Lithuania Minor by the M. Jankus Museum 10 11 Šereiklaukis is a harmony created by nature and human

At the confluence of the Jūra and Nemunas rivers, the architectural rezerve was estab- lished within the boundaries of Šereiklaukis village including a group of buildings of the for- mer Šereiklaukis Manor and its surroundings. The reserve is intended to protect and exhibit this complex-architectural, historical, archeological heritage.

Šereiklaukis Manor Homestead after the World War I Šereiklaukis Manor alley was strictly oriented according to the The beginnings of the Šereiklaukis Man- countries of the world. The straight alley can or have been known since the XIV century, be called a road-building monument. It leads you will have the opportunity not only to ad- but the period of prosperity began in the to a hill where a small chapel stood. It is an mire the impressive ditch reminiscent of the Šereiklaukis Manor Barn XVI century. Since East Prussian manors have artificially man-made round burial mound on ice age, but also to relax in the respite place been focused on economic rather than rep- one of the highest hills in the area, called Ko- on the edge of the ditch. resentational activities, they were established plyčkalnis. A chapel was built on the pedes- in a natural environment favorable to agricul- tal, which was used as a mausoleum - a place Šereiklaukis forest ture and animal husbandry. Until the Second of solemn burial. The chapel was surrounded observation tower World War, the manor had a distillery, a stud by a ring of trees. Next to it, on the lower ter- Located in one of the largest meadows farm and a water mill. The territory of the race, there was a manor cemetery. The chap- in Šereiklaukis forest, this tower was built for manor was decorated with a park, a network el has not survived, only a few expressive nature observation and natural landscape of alleys and a system of ponds. The archi- tombstones remain in the nearby cemetery. overview. Looking east, it offers a magnificent tectural beauty of the manor ensemble and view of the natural meadow with terrain. In its spatial plan were disturbed by the farms Šereiklaukis forest trail the distance you can see the chimney of the built on the foundations of the former manor We offer to observe nature and admire Šereiklaukis manor distillery, and a little to the Alley of Šereiklaukis Manor leading to Koplyčkalnis outbuildings after the war, the ruins of which the landscape by hiking on the circular foot- right on a sunny day you can clearly see the path in the Šereiklaukis forest. The trail starts place where the Šešupė and the Nemunas Observation Tower were removed, the foundations of the for- in Šereiklaukis forest mer buildings were opened and preserved, at the fork of roads in Šereiklaukis village. merge. This observation place is located on meadow the ponds were cleaned and the is beingre- There is an information stand describing the the Šereiklaukis Forest Trail. stored. To this day, a red brick distillery, built beginning and the end of the trail. It’s not only in the early 20th century, has survived, tra- one, but even three, trails of different lengths ditional architecture livestock barn, stables, that start and end at the same point. Symbol- two-storey barn building, workers‘ houses, ically, they are named the yellow, green and mining towers. An impressive straight alley blue tracks, with lengths of 1.5 km, 5.5 km to Koplyčkalnis and the manor cemetery is and 9 km respectively. All tracks are marked still remaining. with special signs to help you not to get lost. There are no artificial surfaces on the trail. In Manor alley and Koplyčkalnis several places, the trail goes just through the At the beginning of the XIX centu- forest, and the trail is marked with stripes on ry, a straight line about 2 km west of the the trees, so be careful not to get lost from Šereiklaukis Manor House an alley to the the trail. Foot-bridges have been installed in manor cemetery was built, planted with ash, the sections of the trail for crossing the wet linden and other trees. Each branch of the places. By choosing the longest blue route, Šereiklaukis Forest Trail 12 13 Šereiklaukis village hill suggest that the repository may have been observation tower of the V-VII century. Next to it there is a former It is located on the edge of the highlands, settlement of I - XIII century, where farm pits, in the village of Šereiklaukis itself, on the site columns, rough and throw ceramics (decorat- of a Soviet-era- later-demolished grass pro- ed with wave ornament), animal bones were cessing plant. Having climbed, you can see found. The slopes of the Milžinkapis (Giant the whole area of the confluence of the Ne- Tomb) are steep, up to 6 m height, very remi- munas and Jūra rivers. From here you can see niscent of a mound, so archaeologists also call the Šereiklaukis II Mound (Milžinkalpis), the it Šereiklaukis II Mound. It was declared the taller buildings of the Šereiklaukis Manor, the monument in 1998. This hill overgrown with park, the ancient Skalviai settlement named old maples is well visible, adorns the rural land- scape, making it exceptional. Sidabrakalnis next to it and the nearby historic Šereiklaukis I Mound homestead of the border police having oper- Opstainiai II Mound ated during the interwar period. Opstainiai II Mound is located next to a Šereiklaukis I Mound small pond in the village of Opstainiai. The It is one of the monuments of the pond was built only in the Soviet era, after Šereiklaukis archeological complex. It is be- damming up the Apstella stream, which sur- lieved that, there was a defensive castle on rounds the mound hill. The mound is small, the Šereiklaukis Mound, at the confluence of the slopes are steep, levelled, but there are no the Nemunas and Jūra rivers, where the last more defensive fortifications. The few crushed leader of the Skalviai tribe, Šereika, was killed. ceramic shards found next to the mound testi- Šereiklaukis I Mound dates back to the 13th fy that it is an older mound. Next to the mound century due to powerful fortifications. This there is an expressive hill almost 37 m high, mound was discovered in 1988 by archaeolo- from which there are great views of the sur- roundings. In June, the hill turns red, because gist Valdemaras Šimėnas, linking the similarity Opstainiai II Mound Šereiklaukis II Mound (Giant‘s Grave) between the Šereiklaukis place name and the of a rare plant in Lithuania - a clammy campion name of Šereika, the leader of the Skalviai tribe, blooms here. and the castle mentioned in the chronicle at the confluence of the Sea and the Nemunas. The cultural value of the mound is exception- al - it is the only monument in Northern Skal- va that directly remembers the battles of the Skalviai with the Crusaders. To the north-east of the mound a settlement was found, which is said to be called Sidabrakalnis. Next to it there is another cemetery, where nineteen V-VII c. graves were found. Šereiklaukis II mound (Milžinkapis) To the north of Šereiklaukis I Mound there is an unexplored cemetery called Milžinkapis. Findings on the hill site and at the foot of the Panorama from the Observation Tower in Šereiklaukis village 14 15 Around the rich surroundings of Vilkyškiai is surrounded with legends. It is probably the only ordinary spruce of such an impressive, unusual shape not only in Lithuania, but also Vilkyškiai Urban Reserve was established to preserve and exhibit the network of streets in in Europe or in the whole area of self-distribu- the old part of Vilkyškiai town, the nature and spatial composition of the building, the homes- tion of these trees. There is a convenient access tead of the former Vilkyškiai Manor with a park and other cultural heritage objects of Lithuania path and an observation deck for visiting. The Minor. tree is fenced, protecting it from unwanted root trampling in the foothills.

Homestead of Vilkyškiai Manor colorful stained glass windows created by Rasa Vilkyškiai Manor was founded in 1628. It Grybaitė. The parish of Detmold from Germany became a key part of the town’s structure. donated an organ, which, with great acoustics There are five surviving buildings of the man- remaining in a growing church, sounded after or house: a dwelling house, a guest house, a a break of 50 years. Church services are now workers‘ house, stables, and a barn. On the hill, held, exhibitions take place and concerts of in the center of the town, stands the manor church and classical music are held. house, built in the style of historicism, restored Monument to the memory of in 2014. The eldership and other administrative institutions are located in this building. A styl- the Salzburgers ish barn building, typical of the homesteads 4 June 1998, in the center of Vilkyškiai town, of all larger economic units in Lithuania Minor a monument was unveiled to the people of has still remained. The restored stables of the Salzburg, who settled in Lithuania Minor after the Great Plague of 1709-1711. Two wooden manor show a former large farm and a lot of at- Natural monument „Witch‘s Spruce“ tention paid to the horses raised at the manor. beams resembling a carriage attached to a broken wheel symbolize a difficult journey Vilkyškiai Evangelical Luthe- to a distant country. The inscription on the ran Church granite slabs in Lithuanian and German: “For The church was built around 1560. During the Protestants of Salzburg, who found their the Seven Years‘ War, Russian Cossacks devas- New Homeland here by the Nemunas in the tated and burned it. In 1711, the church was 18th century”. The author of the monument is Vilkyškiai Evangelical Lutheran Church rebuilt. In 1896, a new red-brick neo-Goth- Šarūnas Arbačiauskas. Monument to the memory of the Salzburgers ic church building with a 45 m. high tower was built at the same place. The interior of Spruce of Witches the church was decorated with a stylish altar, It is a multi-stemmed spruce growing in stained glass, and a magnificent organ. After the Vilkyškiai Geomorphological Reserve of the Second World War, the inside of the church Rambynas Regional Park, near Vilkyškiai town. was completely destroyed, and the tower was In 2000, this tree was granted the status of a demolished. The church building housed a natural monument. At a height of about 80 grain depot and a mill. After Lithuania regained cm, the spruce branches into 17 trunks. Its its independence, the church was returned to trunk circumference at the branch - about 580 the congregation. With the help of the people cm, height - 34 m, it is estimated that it may of Vilkyškis, who have been scattered around be 160-180 years old. It is called the Spruce the world, it is started to be repaired. In 1996, a of Witches because of its unusual shape. The tower was built, the roof, Windows and doors trunks are intertwined, some even growing were repaired. The church was decorated with into each other like tangled witch hair. The tree Restored Vilkyškiai Manor House 16 17 Vilkyškiai Oak Alley Monument to the people of It is an alley of 39 oaks, 250 meters long, Vilkyškiai residents who died state-protected natural heritage site. The in World War I height of the trees ranges from 18 m to 20 m, On the outskirts of the central part of the circumference of the trunks is 1.3 m height Vilkyškiai town, there is a monument in mem- is from 2.8 to 3.8 m. The alley appears to have ory of the parish men who died in World War I. been planted around the middle of 19th cen- The monument was built in 1920. The granite tury, so the age of the oaks can be from 120 to slabs in the niches of the monument with the 180 years. It is not known exactly what event, names of the dead were broken during the So- place or phenomenon this alley was dedicat- viet era. In 2002 the monument was restored, ed to. An old dilapidated cemetery has recent- but the names of the dead have not been es- ly been discovered on the edge of the forest tablished. The inscription on the monument: on which the alley rests. It is believed that this “In memory of those killed in wars, in exile and magnificent alley led to them - the cemetery far from the Homeland. Vilkyškiai Church Com- of Vilkyškiai Manor, which was destroyed dur- munity“. ing the Soviet era. Opstainiai I (Vilkyškiai) Mound It is the largest and most expressive of the mounds in the park. The slopes of the mound are steep and high, reaching up to 20 m. It is very close to Vilkyškiai town, well visible and accessible from the road Vilkyškiai - Šereiklauk- is. Next to it there are two ancient settlements, where Skalviai lived from the 1st to the 13th century until this place was conquered by the Panorama from Vilkyškiai Observation Tower Crusaders. The castle was built on a high prom- ontory surrounded by the Apsta stream. A 1.3 - 1.5 m cultural layer was found on the eastern side of the mound. It is believed that these settlements gave rise to the establishment of Vilkyškiai town. Vilkyškiai Observation Tower It is located on a high hill on the south- western outskirts of Vilkyškiai town. It is an 8.5 m high platform that rises above the hill. It of- fers great views of the Old Town of Vilkyškiai, which is located in the east between the hills, and the hills of the Vilkyškiai ridge flowing to- wards the southwest. On a clear day, you can see the Karšuva forest brooding over in the east, and in the north you can even see the Monument to the folks of Vilkyškiai who died during the white cross adorning Tauragė Church. Natural heritage object „Vilkyškiai Oak Alley“ Opstainiai (Vilkyškių) I Mound World War I CONTENTS

South Baltic region 3

Lithuania Minor from Klaipėda till Rambynas: cycling through the landscape, history, manors 4

Rambynas Regional Park 5

Images of Rambynas - memorable, unique, enchanting 6

Šereiklaukis is a harmony created by nature and human 10

Around the rich surroundings of Vilkyškiai 14

The information for the publication was prepared by the Rambynas Regional Park Directorate

Information sources: archive of Rambynas Regional Park Directorate, database of the South Baltic Manors project, https://www.silutesmuziejus.lt/

Texts translated by: Ingrida Nasvytė

Edition: 500 vnt.

„The contents of this information are the sole responsibility of the authors and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union or the Joint Secretariat of the Managing Authority or the South Baltic Cross-Border Cooperation Program 2014-2020“.

Designed and printed by Reklamanija, UAB 2020